Wednesday, July 22, 2020

A major COVID-19 outbreak in Seward

Here's the press release.

Bristol Bay update

The industry has tallied a big harvest of more than 36 million sockeye so far at Bristol Bay. And it has done so despite daunting COVID-19 challenges.

But fishermen likely won't be happy with the payoff. Media reports say processors are posting a base ex-vessel price of 70 cents a pound, a big drop from last year's average of $1.35.

Kenai closure

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game just announced the following:

In an effort to conserve the Kenai River king salmon population for future generations of Alaskans, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing sport fishing for king salmon on the Kenai River and in marine waters of Cook Inlet north of Bluff Point and is closing all commercial setnet fisheries on the east side of Upper Cook Inlet effective ... July 24.

More in this press release.

Disaster relief plans proposed

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has posted distribution plans for federal disaster funds.

The state is inviting public comments on the proposed plans, which cover two fisheries:

2018 Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod
2018 Chignik sockeye salmon

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Coronavirus slams another American Seafoods boat

The city of Unalaska is reporting that 85 of the 119 persons aboard the factory trawler American Triumph have tested positive for COVID-19.

More details in this news release.

And here's a statement from American Seafoods.

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Dungeness crabber found dead off Kodiak Island

The Alaska State Troopers posted the following on July 3:

Location: Kodiak
Type: SAR/death investigation
On 7/3/20 at approximately 0623 hours, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Seward received a call that the U.S. Coast Guard was transporting a deceased subject later identified to be 22-year-old Cole Rutzer. Investigation revealed Rutzer was commercial Dungeness fishing off Tugidak Island located at the south end of Kodiak. Yesterday afternoon, Rutzer and Dylan Furford used a Zodiac skiff to go beachcombing on Tugidak Island. Rutzer and Furford did not return later that evening, so USCG was notified and started to search the area via helo. The USCG found the Zodiac skiff capsized and Rutzer deceased on the beach. A second helo was deployed to search for Furford. Members of KISAR participated in search efforts. The USCG has suspended the search. Next of kin for both men were notified.